Methods for limiting interruption in multicarrier ProSe operation

ABSTRACT

A method in a network node (115) is disclosed for managing interruptions to Wide Area Network, WAN, operation of a wireless device (110), wherein the wireless device provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers (305, 310). The method comprises determining (804) a configuration of the wireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

PRIORITY

This nonprovisional application is a U.S. National Stage Filing under 35U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent. Application Serial No.PCT/EP2017/057341 filed Mar. 28, 2017, and entitled “Methods ForLimiting interruption In Multicarrier ProSe Operation” which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/317,178 filedApr. 1, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to wireless communicationsand, more particularly, to methods for limiting interruption inmulticarrier ProSe operation.

BACKGROUND

Device-to-Device (D2D) communications enable devices in the proximity ofeach other to communicate in a peer-to-peer (i.e., direct) fashionrather than communicating through some wireless access point (AP) orbase station (BS). In practice, D2D user equipment (UEs) in the ThirdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) systemutilize the cellular uplink (UL) spectrum (that is, they transmit D2Dsignals or channels in the UL part of the spectrum).

According to the current standard, D2D operation by a UE is in ahalf-duplex mode (i.e., the UE can either transmit D2D signals and/orchannels or receive D2D signals and/or channels). There may also be D2Drelay UEs that relay some signals to other D2D UEs. There is alsocontrol information for D2D communication, some of which is transmittedby D2D UEs, and some of which is transmitted by network nodes, such asevolved NodeBs (eNBs) (e.g., D2D resource grants for D2D communicationtransmitted via cellular downlink (DL) control channels). D2Dtransmissions may occur on resources that are configured by the networkor selected autonomously by the D2D UE.

Specifically in LTE, D2D communication implies transmitting, by a D2Dtransmitter, D2D data and D2D communication control information withscheduling assignments (SAs) to assist D2D receivers of the D2D data.The D2D data transmissions are performed according to configuredpatterns and, in principle, may be transmitted rather frequently. SAsare transmitted periodically. D2D transmitters that are within thenetwork coverage may request eNB resources for their D2D communicationtransmissions and receive in response D2D resource grants for SA and D2Ddata. Furthermore, the eNB may broadcast D2D resource pools for D2Dcommunication.

D2D discovery messages are transmitted in infrequent periodic subframes.eNodeBs may broadcast D2D resource pools for D2D discovery, both forreception and transmission. In LTE, D2D communication supports twodifferent modes of D2D operation: mode 1 and mode 2.

In mode 1, the location of the resources for transmission of the SA bythe broadcasting UE comes from the eNB. The location of the resource(s)for transmission of the D2D data by the broadcasting UE comes from theeNB.

In mode 2, a resource pool for scheduling assignment is pre-configuredand/or semi-statically allocated. The UE on its own selects the resourcefor scheduling assignment from the resource pool for schedulingassignment to transmit its SA.

Primary Cell (PCell) interruption of 1 subframe occurs when a UEswitches its reception between D2D-to-Wide Area Network, WAN, orWAN-to-D2D. This is because the UE receiver chain needs to be retunedevery time the operation is switched from WAN to D2D reception and fromD2D to WAN reception. This applies to both D2D discovery and D2Dcommunication capable UEs. It is important to partition UL resourcesbetween cellular UL and D2D operation in such a way that avoids orminimizes the risk of switching taking place in certain subframes ofPCell, such as subframe #0 and/or subframe #5. These subframes containessential information such as Primary Synchronization Sequence(PSS)/Secondary Synchronization Sequence (SSS) that are necessary fordoing cell search and carrying out cell measurements. These subframesalso contain Master Information Block (MIB)/System Information Block 1(SIB1) information that is necessary for System Information (SI) readingprocedures.

In addition to the interruption that takes places due to switching,there may be an additional interruption of 1 subframe due to the RadioResource Control (RRC) reconfiguration procedure. While the switchinginterruption takes place for single receiver UEs (e.g., D2D discoverycapable UEs), the RRC reconfiguration interruption takes place for alltypes of D2D UEs (e.g., D2D Discovery capable and D2D Communicationcapable UEs).

D2D operation is a generic term that may comprise transmission and/orreception of any type of D2D signals (e.g., physical signals, physicalchannel, etc.) by a D2D communication capable UE and/or by a D2Ddiscovery capable UE. D2D operation is therefore also referred to as D2Dtransmission, D2D reception, D2D communication, etc.

As used herein, a D2D UE may be interchangeably referred to as aproximity services, ProSe, capable UE. Similarly, D2D operation may beinterchangeably referred to herein as ProSe operation. A D2D discoverycapable UE may also be referred to as a UE capable of Prose directdiscovery, and a D2D direct communication UE may also be referred to asa UE capable of ProSe direct communication.

The link and carrier that is used for the D2D (i.e., ProSe) directcommunication and D2D (i.e., ProSe) direct discovery between UEs isreferred to as “sidelink.” As non-limiting examples, ProSe operationsperformed by the UE may include ProSe reception (i.e., receiving ProSesignals) and/or ProSe transmission (i.e., transmitting ProSe signals).Vehicular-to-X (V2X) operation is another variant of D2D operation. V2Xenables communication between a vehicle and any one or more of: anothervehicle, infrastructure and pedestrian(s). Therefore X may denote“vehicular” (also known as V2V), or X may denote “pedestrian” (alsoknown as V2P) or X may denote “infrastructure” (also known as V2I), andso on. The present disclosure is applicable to any type of D2D operationincluding ProSe, V2X and so on.

In carrier aggregation (CA), ProSe can be used on a sidelink on any ofone or more of the serving cells (e.g., on PCell, on Secondary Cell(SCell), on Primary Secondary Cell (PSCell), etc.). The ProSe-relatedoperations may cause interruption on WAN on the PCell or even onmultiple serving cells in CA. Examples of ProSe related operationsinclude turning the ProSe receiver chain on or off to retune thereceiver, receiving ProSe (e.g., in case the UE reuses the WAN receiverif it does not have a dedicated receiver for ProSe reception), etc.

The interruption in DL and/or UL of the serving cell due to ProSe maycause serving cell performance degradation in WAN. If the UE has twomore SCells, then the interruption may also occur on the activated SCelldue to ProSe operations on cells of the Secondary Component Carrier(SCC) with deactivated SCell.

Typically, the interruption on WAN due to retuning of the ProSe receivercan be 1 ms. One metric to express such serving cell performancedegradation can be expressed in terms of the serving cell (e.g., PCell)interruption probability of missed Acknowledgement (ACK)/NegativeAcknowledgement (NACK) in the UL. The maximum interruption probabilityor interruption rate (e.g., 0.5%) on WAN due to ProSe can also bepre-defined, or the maximum rate can be configured by a network node.This metric is described in more detail below.

In LTE, the transmission opportunity or scheduling instance is 1 ms(i.e., 1 transmission time interval (TTI)). The number of packets lostin LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) (or Time Division Duplex (TDD)with all DL subframes) is 10, for example, if the UE is unable totransmit 10 ACK/NACK in UL in response to continuous DL transmissionover a period of 100 ms. In this example, the corresponding interruptionprobability of missed ACK/NACK in UL is 10% or 0.1. This may also bestated as the probability with which the fraction of ACK/NACKtransmitted in the UL in response to continuous DL transmission over aperiod are missed or dropped or lost. In some cases, it may also beexpressed as a ratio of: the number of missed ACK/NACK in response tocontinuous transmission of data to the UE from its serving cell over acertain time period (T0); to the total number of ACK/NACK in response tocontinuous transmission of data to the UE from its serving cell if alldata blocks are received.

Herein, the serving cell (e.g., PCell) interruption probability ofmissed ACK/NACK in the UL may be interchangeably referred to as the“serving cell interruption probability” for simplicity.

The network node is not aware of when the interruption on WAN occurs dueto ProSe operation. This may result in loss of data as well as controlchannel information, including wastage of a scheduling grant. In somecases, the unpredictable loss of scheduling grants may require thenetwork node to reschedule the UE with Physical Downlink Control Channel(PDCCH) using more resource elements (e.g., control channel resourceelements) and/or using more transmit power, which results in wastage ofresources.

The current specification supports ProSe operation over multiplecarriers (also known as multicarrier operation), but only on one carrierat time. The resources used for ProSe operation are spaced over timeacross multiple carriers (at most 2 UL carriers in Release 13), butsimultaneous ProSe operation over the multiple carriers is not allowed.The number of carriers that can be supported for multicarrier ProSeoperation can, however, be extended in future releases. For example, upto 32 carriers are possible for CA operation in Release 13. Since ProSeoperation takes place on the UL part of the cellular spectrum, thisinvolves some resource sharing with WAN and requires interruptions. Theinterruptions should be maintained under acceptable levels in order tonot degrade the cellular performance, and some requirements have beenintroduced for this purpose.

FIG. 1 illustrates ProSe operation over multiple carriers. Moreparticularly, FIG. 1 illustrates time 5 on the X-axis and frequency 10on the Y-axis. A number of instances of ProSe operation 15 are shown onPCell UL 20 and SCell UL 25. Namely, instances of ProSe operation 15A-Care shown in the example of FIG. 1 on PCell UL 20, and instances ofProSe operation 15D-E are shown in the example of FIG. 1 on SCell UL 25.

ProSe Direct Discovery UEs can be equipped with a single receiver and/ortransmitter chain that is shared with WAN operation. Gaps are allowedfor ProSe Direct Discovery UEs to enable reusing of the receiver and/ortransmitter chain of WAN. Gaps may reduce the interruptions to WAN, asthe network node is aware of them. Gaps, however, limit the WANscheduling opportunities to the network node's cellular UEs. Inaddition, ProSe operation over multiple carriers that is spaced overtime may also cause interruptions to WAN operation, and this will inturn degrade the WAN performance. The current requirements only set anupper limit (i.e., the maximum interruption that can be allowed on acarrier). For example, if the maximum interruption rate is 0.5% percarrier and a UE is configured with two or several carriers, the totalinterruptions on all carriers will be much higher. Excessive ProSeinterruptions or gaps during a certain period of time may severelyimpact the WAN performance.

SUMMARY

To address the foregoing problems with existing approaches, disclosed isa method in a network node for managing interruptions to Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) operation of a wireless device, wherein the wirelessdevice provides Proximity Services (ProSe) over at least two carriers.The method comprises determining a configuration of the wireless devicefor ProSe operation such that an aggregated interruption to the WANoperation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on a periodicity for ProSeoperation of the wireless device on one or more of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. Incertain embodiments, the method may comprise determining whether gapsare configured or requested for ProSe operation on one or more of the atleast two carriers, and determining the configuration of the wirelessdevice based on whether gaps are determined to be configured orrequested for ProSe operation on one or more of the at least twocarriers.

In certain embodiments, determining the configuration may compriseadapting a ProSe periodicity of at least one of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. Theadapted ProSe periodicity of the at least one carrier may be a functionof a total number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. The adapted ProSe periodicity of the at least onecarrier may be a function of a reference value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on information about one ormore of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. The information about the one or more carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at the wireless device may comprise oneor more of: a number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a type of carrier configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a number of cells configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a type of cell configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; an activation status of at least one of the at leasttwo carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device; amaximum interruption rate of at least one of the at least two carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at the wireless device; and a targetblock error rate of at least one of the at least two carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at the wireless device.

In certain embodiments, determining the configuration may comprisemodifying a number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. Determining the configuration may comprise adapting aProSe scheduling configuration for the wireless device. Determining theconfiguration may comprise adapting a WAN scheduling configuration forthe wireless device.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise communicating thedetermined configuration to at least one of: another network node; andone or more wireless devices configured for ProSe operation. In certainembodiments, the allowed interruption value may be based on a number ofmissed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgement(ACK)/Negative Acknowledgement (NACK).

Also disclosed is a network node for managing interruptions to Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) operation of a wireless device, wherein the wirelessdevice provides Proximity Services (ProSe) over at least two carriers.The network node comprises: a receiver, a transmitter, memory; andprocessing circuitry communicatively coupled to the receiver, thetransmitter, and the memory. The processing circuitry is configured todetermine a configuration of the wireless device for ProSe operationsuch that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of thewireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

Also disclosed is a method in a wireless device for managinginterruptions to Wide Area Network (WAN) operation of the wirelessdevice, wherein the wireless device provides Proximity Services (ProSe)over at least two carriers. The method comprises configuring ProSe radioresources on the at least two carriers such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below anallowed interruption value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise performing ProSeoperation on the at least two carriers using the configured ProSe radioresources. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining theallowed interruption value. The allowed interruption value may be basedon a number of missed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)Acknowledgement (ACK)/Negative Acknowledgement (NACK).

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining aconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device for the atleast two carriers, the obtained configuration comprising at least ProSeradio resources for performing ProSe operation on the at least twocarriers, and the configuring ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers may be based on the obtained configuration. Obtaining theconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device may comprisereceiving the configuration for ProSe operation of the wireless devicefrom a network node.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining a minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device on the at least two carriers, the minimum value ofperiodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wirelessdevice to be below the allowed interruption value, and the configuringthe ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriers may be based onthe obtained minimum value of periodicity. The minimum value ofperiodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of the wirelessdevice may be a function of a total number of carriers configured forProSe operation at the wireless device. The minimum value of periodicitywith which to configure ProSe operation of the wireless device may be afunction of a reference value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise comparing the obtainedconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device and theobtained minimum value of periodicity with which to configure ProSeoperation of the wireless device. The method may comprise configuringradio resources on at least one of the at least two carriers forperforming ProSe operation if a periodicity of ProSe operation on acarrier in the obtained configuration is larger than or equal to theminimum value of periodicity. The method may comprise performing one ormore of the following operations if a periodicity of ProSe operation ona carrier in the obtained configuration is less than the minimum valueof periodicity: configuring radio resources only on one or more carriershaving a periodicity of ProSe operation that is equal to or larger thanthe minimum value of periodicity; not configuring radio resources on acarrier that has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than theminimum value of periodicity; or configuring radio resources on acarrier that has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than theminimum value of periodicity after adapting the ProSe periodicity of thecarrier to have at least the minimum periodicity. In certainembodiments, the method may comprise informing a network node that thewireless device has configured radio resources on the carrier with anadapted value of ProSe periodicity.

Also disclosed is a wireless device for managing interruptions to WideArea Network (WAN) operation of the wireless device, wherein thewireless device provides Proximity Services (ProSe) over at least twocarriers. The wireless device comprises: a receiver; a transmitter,memory; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to thereceiver, the transmitter, and the memory. The processing circuitry isconfigured to configure ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation ofthe wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

Also disclosed is a network node for managing interruptions to Wide AreaNetwork (WAN) operation of a wireless device), wherein the wirelessdevice provides Proximity Services (ProSe) over at least two carriers.The network node comprises: a receiving module; a communication module;and a determining module communicatively coupled to the receiving moduleand the communication module. The determining module is configured todetermine a configuration of the wireless device for ProSe operationsuch that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of thewireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

Also disclosed is a wireless device for managing interruptions to WideArea Network (WAN) operation of the wireless device, wherein thewireless device provides Proximity Services (ProSe) over at least twocarriers. The wireless device comprises a receiving module; acommunication module; and a determining module communicatively coupledto the receiving module and the communication module. The determiningmodule is configured to configure ProSe radio resources on the at leasttwo carriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operationof the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable memory devicestoring a computer program comprises program instructions that, whenexecuted on a network node configured to operate in a Wide Area Network,WAN, cause the processing circuitry to: determine a configuration of thewireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregated interruptionto the WAN operation of the wireless device is below an allowedinterruption value.

In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable memory devicestores a computer program for managing interruptions to Wide AreaNetwork, WAN, operation of the wireless device, wherein the wirelessdevice provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers,the computer program comprising program instructions that, when executedon a wireless device configured to provide Proximity Services, ProSe,cause the processing circuitry to configure ProSe radio resources on theat least two carriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WANoperation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

In some embodiments, a computer program, comprising instructions which,when executed on processing circuitry, causes the processing circuitryto carry out the method according to any example.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or moretechnical advantages. For example, certain embodiments may ensure thatWAN performance is not severely impacted due to ProSe gaps andinterruptions caused by ProSe. As another example, certain embodimentsmay enable resource sharing between WAN and ProSe without severelydegrading the performance of each other. As still another example,certain embodiments may allow information to be shared with other nodes,which may advantageously allow ProSe operation over multiple carriersand/or cells to be further coordinated in order to further improve WANand ProSe performance and allow the potential gains to be achieved inlarge scale. As yet another example, certain embodiments may allow theconfiguration for ProSe operation to be derived in one place and thensignaled to other nodes in the network, which may advantageously reduceprocessing in the different nodes in the network. Other advantages maybe readily apparent to one having skill in the art. Certain embodimentsmay have none, some, or all of the recited advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments and theirfeatures and advantages, reference is now made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates ProSe operation over multiple carriers;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications network, inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe receiver chain, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe transmitter chain, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe receiver and transmitter chains, in accordance with certainembodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example adaptation of the ProSe periodicity ofProSe resources on sidelink on two carriers, in accordance with certainembodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example adaptation of the ProSe periodicity ofProSe resources on sidelink on two carriers with the same periodicities,in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method in a network node, in accordancewith certain embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method in a wireless device, in accordancewith certain embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a block schematic of an exemplary wireless device, inaccordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a block schematic of an exemplary network node, in accordancewith certain embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a block schematic of an exemplary radio network controller orcore network node, in accordance with certain embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a block schematic of an exemplary wireless device, inaccordance with certain embodiments; and

FIG. 14 is a block schematic of an exemplary network node, in accordancewith certain embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, ProSe operation may cause an interruption in DLand/or UL. The network node is not aware when the interruption on WANoccurs due to ProSe operation, which may result in performancedegradation in WAN. This performance degradation may include loss ofdata as well as control channel information (including wastage ofscheduling grant). The unpredictable loss of scheduling grants canrequire the network node to reschedule the UE, which may result infurther wasting of resources. Additionally, it is possible that thenumber of carriers that can be supported for multicarrier ProSeoperation could be extended in the future. Since ProSe operation istaking place on the UL part of the cellular spectrum, this involves someresource sharing with WAN and requires interruptions. The presentdisclosure contemplates various embodiments that may advantageouslylimit interruption in multicarrier ProSe operation and allow theinterruptions to be maintained under acceptable levels in order to avoiddegrading cellular performance.

According to one example embodiment, a method in a network node formanaging interruptions to WAN operation of a wireless device isdisclosed. In some cases, the wireless device may be a ProSe capablewireless device (e.g., a UE), and the network node may be serving thewireless device. The wireless device may provide proximity services overat least two carriers. The network node determines a configuration ofthe wireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below anallowed interruption value. The allowed interruption value may be basedon a number of missed HARQ ACK/NACK. In certain embodiments, the networknode determines the configuration of the wireless device based on aperiodicity for ProSe operation of the wireless device (e.g., every 40ms, 80 ms, etc.) on one or more of the at least two carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at the wireless device. The network node may obtainthe periodicity for ProSe operation of the wireless device in anysuitable manner. In certain embodiments, the network node may determinethe configuration of the wireless device based on information about oneor more of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation atthe wireless device. The network node may obtain the information aboutone or more of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operationat the wireless device in any suitable manner. In certain embodiments,the network node may determine whether gaps are configured or requestedfor ProSe operation on one or more of the at least two carriers, anddetermine the configuration of the wireless device based on whether gapsare determined to be configured or requested for ProSe operation on oneor more of the at least two carriers.

In certain embodiments, determining the configuration may compriseadapting a ProSe periodicity of at least one of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. In somecases, determining the configuration may comprise modifying a number ofcarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. In somecases, determining the configuration may comprise adapting a ProSescheduling configuration for the wireless device, for example byadapting the ProSe Direct Discovery periodicity and/or ProSe DirectCommunication periodicity, information on when ProSe operation isallowed, and/or information on the maximum interruption allowed on WANcaused by ProSe on said carrier or all carriers. In some cases,determining the configuration may comprise adapting a WAN schedulingconfiguration for the wireless device, for example by adapting thescheduling of the wireless device such that scheduling in certainsubframes or duration are avoided and/or adapting the scheduling suchthat certain type of wireless devices are not scheduled for certainsubframes or duration. In certain embodiments, the network node maycommunicate the determined configuration to at least one of a receivingnode or another type of node in the network.

According to another example embodiment, a method in a wireless devicefor managing interruptions to WAN operation of the wireless device isdisclosed. The wireless device may be a ProSe capable wireless devicethat provides ProSe over at least two carriers, and may be served by anetwork node. The wireless device configures ProSe radio resources onthe at least two carriers such that an aggregated interruption to theWAN operation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruptionvalue. In certain embodiments, the wireless device obtains aconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device for the atleast two carriers, and configures ProSe radio resources on the at leasttwo carriers based on the obtained configuration. The obtainedconfiguration may comprise at least ProSe radio resources for performingProSe operation on the at least two carriers. In certain embodiments,the wireless device obtains a minimum value of periodicity with which toconfigure ProSe operation of the wireless device on the at least twocarriers, and configures the ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers based on the obtained minimum value of periodicity. The minimumvalue of periodicity may be a minimum periodicity for ProSe operationthat enables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of thewireless device to be below the allowed interruption value. In certainembodiments, the wireless device performs ProSe operation on the atleast two carriers using the configured ProSe radio resources. This mayadvantageously allow the wireless device to perform ProSe operation onthe at least two carriers while not exceeding an allowed interruptionvalue (e.g., a maximum interruption probability in terms of missed HARQACK/NACK on WAN operation).

The various embodiments described herein may have one or more technicaladvantages. For example, certain embodiments may ensure that WANperformance is not severely impacted due to ProSe gaps and interruptionscaused by ProSe. As another example, certain embodiments may enableresource sharing between WAN and ProSe without severely degrading theperformance of each other. As still another example, certain embodimentsmay allow information to be shared with other nodes, which mayadvantageously allow ProSe operation over multiple carriers and/or cellsto be further coordinated in order to further improve WAN and ProSeperformance and allow the potential gains to be achieved in large scale.As yet another example, certain embodiments may allow the measurementconfiguration to be derived in one place and then signaled to othernodes in the network, which may advantageously reduce processing in thedifferent nodes in the network.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a wireless communications network100, in accordance with certain embodiments. More particularly, FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network 100 thatincludes one or more UEs 110 (which may be interchangeably referred toas wireless devices 110) and network node(s) 115 (which may beinterchangeably referred to as eNBs 115). In the example of FIG. 2, UE110A is a smart phone, UEs 110B-D are vehicles, and UE 110E is apedestrian having a wireless device 110, such as, for example, a smartphone. UEs 110 may be ProSe capable UEs (and may be interchangeablyreferred to as ProSe UEs 110 or D2D UEs 110). UEs 110 may communicatewith network node 115, or with one or more other UEs 110 over a wirelessinterface. For example, UEs 110A, 110B, and 110D may transmit wirelesssignals to network node 115 and/or receive wireless signals from networknode 115. UEs 110 may also transmit wireless signals to other UEs 110and/or receive wireless signals from other UEs 110. For example, UEs110B, 110C, 110D, and 110E may communicate using D2D communication. Thewireless signals may contain voice traffic, data traffic, controlsignals, and/or any other suitable information. In some embodiments, anarea of wireless signal coverage associated with network node 115 may bereferred to as a cell.

In certain embodiments, network node 115 may interface with a radionetwork controller. The radio network controller may control networknode 115 and may provide certain radio resource management functions,mobility management functions, and/or other suitable functions. Incertain embodiments, the functionality of the radio network controllermay be included in network node 115. The radio network controller mayinterface with a core network node. In certain embodiments, the radionetwork controller may interface with the core network node via aninterconnecting network. The interconnecting network may refer to anyinterconnecting system capable of transmitting audio, video, signals,data, messages, or any combination of the preceding.

In some embodiments, the core network node may manage the establishmentof communication sessions and various other functionalities for UEs 110.UE 110 may exchange certain signals with the core network node using thenon-access stratum layer. In non-access stratum signaling, signalsbetween wireless device 110 and the core network node may betransparently passed through the radio access network. Exampleembodiments of UE 110, network node 115, and other network nodes (suchas radio network controller or core network node) are described in moredetail below with respect to FIGS. 10-14 below.

In some embodiments, the general term “network node” is used and it cancorrespond to any type of radio network node or any network node thatcommunicates with a UE and/or with another network node. Examples ofnetwork nodes include, but are not limited to, NodeB, MeNB, SeNB, anetwork node belonging to MCG or SCG, base station (BS), multi-standardradio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNB, gNB, network controller,radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay,donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), accesspoint (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit(RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system(DAS), core network node (e.g., MSC, MME, etc.), O&M, OSS, SON,positioning node (e.g., E-SMLC), MDT or any other suitable network node.

In some embodiments, the non-limiting term UE is used and it refers toany type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/orwith another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examplesof UE include target device, D2D/ProSe UE, machine-type-communication(MTC) UE or UE capable of machine-to-machine communication (M2M),low-cost and/or low-complexity UE, a sensor equipped with UE, PDA, PAD,Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE),laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment(CPE), etc. UE 110 may operate under either normal coverage or enhancedcoverage with respect to its serving cell. The enhanced coverage may beinterchangeably referred to as extended coverage. UE 110 may alsooperate in a plurality of coverage levels (e.g., normal coverage,enhanced coverage level 1, enhanced coverage level 2, enhanced coveragelevel 3 and so on). In certain embodiments, UE 110 may be capable ofoperating in out-of-network coverage (ONC) scenarios.

The terminology such as network node and UE should be considerednon-limiting and does in particular not imply a certain hierarchicalrelation between the two; in general “eNB” could be considered as device1 and “UE” device 2, and these two devices communicate with each otherover some radio channel.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates a particular arrangement of network 100, thepresent disclosure contemplates that the various embodiments describedherein may be applied to a variety of networks having any suitableconfiguration. For example, network 100 may include any suitable numberof UEs 110 and network nodes 115, as well as any additional elementssuitable to support communication between UEs or between a UE andanother communication device (such as a landline telephone).Furthermore, although certain embodiments may be described asimplemented in an LTE network, the embodiments may be implemented in anyappropriate type of telecommunication system supporting any suitablecommunication standards (including 5G standards) and using any suitablecomponents, and are applicable to any radio access technology (RAT) ormulti-RAT systems in which the UE receives and/or transmits signals(e.g., data). For example, the various embodiments described herein maybe applicable to NR, LTE FDD/TDD, LTE-Advanced, UMTS, WCDMA/HSPA,GSM/GERAN, CDMA2000, WiMax, WiFi, WLAN, another suitable radio accesstechnology, or any suitable combination of one or more radio accesstechnologies. Moreover, although the various embodiments may bedescribed as implemented for ProSe Direct Communication type UEs, thepresent disclosure contemplates that the various embodiments describedherein are applicable to other types of ProSe UEs (such as, for example,ProSe Direct Discovery capable UEs).

Although certain embodiments may be described in the context of wirelesstransmissions in the DL, the present disclosure contemplates that thevarious embodiments are equally applicable in the UL. Moreover, thevarious embodiments described herein are applicable for WAN and/or ProSeoperations on single carrier or on multicarrier (also known as CA). Theembodiments are also applicable for WAN and/or ProSe operations in dualconnectivity (DC).

Furthermore, although certain example embodiments may be described interms of sidelink and WAN communication link (for example, as a firstcommunication link and a second communication link, respectively), thevarious embodiments are not limited to such an example. Rather, thepresent disclosure contemplates that the first communication link andsecond communication links may be any suitable communication links, andthat the various embodiments may be applicable to any scenario in whichone communication link is subject to interruption by operation of asecond communication link.

As described above, ProSe operation may cause an interruption in DLand/or UL, leading to performance degradation in WAN, such as the lossof scheduling grants. Additionally, it is possible that the number ofcarriers that can be supported for multicarrier ProSe operation could beextended in the future. Since ProSe operation is taking place on the ULpart of the cellular spectrum, this involves some resource sharing withWAN and requires interruptions.

The present disclosure contemplates various embodiments that mayadvantageously limit interruption in multicarrier ProSe operation andallow the interruptions to be maintained under acceptable levels inorder to avoid degrading cellular performance. In certain embodiments,this may be achieved through a method in network node 115 (such as aneNB). The various embodiments described herein are applicable to avariety of scenarios. Certain example scenarios in which the variousembodiments may be applied are described below.

In some cases, network node 115 may be serving a first cell, say PCell(also known as serving cell). A UE 110, such as UE 110B, may be a ProSecapable wireless device and pre-configured by the PCell with ProSeresources for ProSe operation on a sidelink. The pre-configured ProSeresources may be used by UE 110B when operating in ONC. The sidelink maytypically operate on a carrier of the PCell (also known as a servingcarrier frequency or an intra-frequency carrier). The sidelink may alsobe configured for ProSe operation on a non-serving carrier of UE 110B.The non-serving carrier can be an inter-frequency carrier, inter-RATcarrier, or any carrier which is not configured as the serving carrier.For example, the non-serving carrier can be the one configured as aninter-frequency carrier frequency for doing WAN measurements, or acarrier frequency only configured for ProSe operation.

In certain embodiments, ProSe may also be configured with another cellthat is configurable on an as-needed basis, for example SCell1. In somecases, the SCell1 may be served by a second network node (e.g., a secondeNB). The various embodiments described herein are applicable regardlessof whether PCell and one or more SCells are served by the same ordifferent network nodes. In this case, UE 110B can be pre-configuredwith ProSe resources for ProSe operation on sidelink, which may operateon a carrier of PCell or of SCell or of any non-serving carrier. UE 110Bcan be pre-configured with ProSe resources for ProSe operation on aplurality of sidelinks (e.g., carriers of PCell, SCell1 and non-servingcarrier).

Network node 115 may also configure UE 110B with a third cell, SCell2 ona different carrier on an as-needed basis. The various embodimentsdescribed herein are applicable for a UE configured with CA with anynumber of SCells and/or multicarrier operation with any number ofcarriers.

In certain embodiments, the UE may be configured with PCell and PSCellor with PCell, PSCell and one or more SCells (such as in dualconnectivity). The configured cells are UE specific, and the variousembodiments described herein may be applied on a UE basis on eachconfigured cell.

In some cases, UE 110B may also be configured with one or more carriersfor performing measurements on the cells of the configured carriers. UE110B may be configured with such carriers for measuring in idle stateand/or in connected state.

Currently, there are no restrictions or requirements on how often gapscan be requested by a ProSe UE and granted by the network node forperforming ProSe operation on multiple carriers. Also, there are norestrictions on how often interruptions due to ProSe operation onmultiple carriers can be caused on WAN operation. The use of gaps incertain example scenarios is further described below.

In certain embodiments, UE 110B may be configured with at least oneserving cell (e.g., PCell) on a first carrier (F1). In a first examplecase, UE 110B intends to start ProSe (e.g., discovery) on UL resources(e.g., sidelink) of at least one non-serving cell (cell2) on a second,non-serving carrier (F2). In this first example case, UE 110B sends arequest to network node 115, and in response network node 115 may assigngaps to UE 110B for Prose on cell2 on F2.

In a second example case, network node 115 can request UE 110B to startProSe (e.g., discovery) on the UL resources of cell2 on F2. In thissecond example case, network node 115 sends a request to UE to startProSe on F2 using gaps, and also provides a gap configuration and anyother suitable information.

During the gaps, UE 110B is not required to receive and transmit signalsin the serving cell. The gaps (i.e., cessation of serving celloperation) allow UE 110B to reuse its resources (e.g., receiver, localoscillator, radio frequency (RF) components like power amplifier) fordoing ProSe operation. In the gaps, UE 110B can receive and/or transmitProSe signals on the non-serving cell. This configuration may beinterchangeably referred to herein as the first gap configuration.

The gaps may have any suitable characteristics. For example, in somecases the gaps may be periodic or aperiodic. In some cases, the gaps maybe one shot (e.g., one gap is configured at UE 110B at a time).Non-limiting examples of gaps include periodic measurement gaps used byUE 110B for performing UE measurements. The gaps are typically networknode controlled (i.e., configured by network node 115). In onenon-limiting example, such periodic measurement gaps may have a gaplength of 6 ms occurring every 40 ms or 80 ms. In some cases, the gaplength may be shorter or longer than 6 ms (e.g., it can be equal to theduration over which ProSe operation is to be performed by UE 110B). Anexample of a shorter gap is 3 ms. An example of a longer gap is 20 ms.

The gap configuration may be expressed in any suitable manner. Incertain embodiments, for example, the gap configuration may be expressedin terms of a bit map that can be signaled by network node 115 to UE110B. UE 110B, upon receiving the gap configuration, creates the gapsbased on the received information. The bit map may be periodic oraperiodic. As one example, a periodic bit map with 5 subframe gap everysecond frame may be expressed in terms of bit map as: {0000111110},{0000000000}, {0000111110}, {0000000000}, . . . }. As another example, aperiodic bit map with a gap of 6 subframes may be expressed in terms ofbit map as: {0000111111}. In the above examples, bit “1” means subframewith gap and bit “0” means subframe with serving cell operation. Withineach gap, it may be assumed that 1 subframe is used for RF tuning fromthe serving to non-serving carriers and also that 1 ms is used for RFtuning from the non-serving to serving carriers.

As described above, according to one example embodiment a method in anetwork node, such as network node 115, for managing interruptions toWAN operation of a wireless device is disclosed. In some cases, networknode 115 may be serving a ProSe capable wireless device (e.g., UE 110B).UE 110B may provide proximity services over at least two carriers.Network node 115 determines a configuration of UE 110B for ProSeoperation such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation ofUE 110B is below an allowed interruption value. The allowed interruptionvalue may be based on a number of missed HARQ ACK/NACK. In certainembodiments, network node 115 determines the configuration of UE 110Bbased on a periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B (e.g., every 40ms, 80 ms, etc.) on one or more of the at least two carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at UE 110B. In certain embodiments, network node 115may determine the configuration of UE 110B based on information aboutone or more of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operationat UE 110B (e.g., PCell cell only, PCell and SCell, PCell-SCell1 andSCell2, etc.). In certain embodiments, network node 115 may determinewhether gaps are configured or requested for ProSe operation on one ormore of the at least two carriers, and determine the configuration of UE110B based on whether gaps are determined to be configured or requestedfor ProSe operation on one or more of the at least two carriers.

Network node 115 may obtain a periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110Bin any suitable manner. In certain embodiments, for example, networknode 115 may obtain the periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B bydetermining the periodicity for ProSe operation (e.g., autonomously,based on one or more pre-defined rules, or based on information receivedfrom another network entity such as another network node or a UE (e.g.,UE 110B)). As another example, network node 115 may obtain theperiodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B by receiving the periodicityfor ProSe operation (or an indication thereof) from another networkentity (e.g., another network node or a UE, such as UE 110B).

The periodicity of ProSe operation refers to how frequently the ProSeoperation may occur (e.g., every 40 ms, 80 ms, etc.). The periodicity ofProSe operation may include one or more of ProSe Direct Discovery, ProSeDirect Communication, or any other suitable ProSe operation. In somecases, different types of ProSe operation may have differentperiodicities. For example, the periodicity of ProSe Direct Discoverymay be different than the periodicity of ProSe Direct Communication. Asanother example, ProSe services may be used for public safety purposes,and the periodicity of such operation may be different than that ofcommercial operation. To illustrate, the periodicities that aresupported for public safety ProSe Direct Discovery are: 40 ms, 80 ms,160 ms, 320 ms, etc. The ProSe Direct Discovery periodicities that aresupported for commercial operation are: 320 ms, 640 ms, 1280 ms, etc.

ProSe resources can be allocated to ProSe UE 110B in any suitablemanner. In some cases, the manner of allocating ProSe resources to UE110B enables the periodicity information for ProSe operation of UE 110Bto be known by network node 115. As one example, radio resources may beexplicitly provided to UE 110B by network node 115. This mayadvantageously allow the periodicity information for ProSe operation ofUE 110B to be known to network node 115. As another example, UE 110B maychoose resources from a preconfigured resource pool that is known tonetwork node 115. Such an approach may also advantageously allow theperiodicity information for ProSe operation of UE 110B to be known tonetwork node 115.

Network node 115 may obtain the periodicity for ProSe operation of UE110B in other ways as well. As non-limiting examples, in certainembodiments the periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B may be one ormore of: pre-configured by network node 115; pre-defined in aspecification; and/or pre-defined in the hardware (including SIM). Inthese cases, the periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B is expectedto be well known, and UE 110B may use some default periodicity. In othercases, network node 115 may obtain periodicity related informationexplicitly from UE 110B or retrieve it from other nodes in the network(e.g., another network node or UE).

Network node 115 may obtain information about the one or more carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at UE 110B in any suitable manner. As oneexample, network node 115 may determine the information about one ormore carriers configured for ProSe operation at UE 110B (e.g.,autonomously, based on one or more pre-defined rules, or based oninformation received from another network entity such as another networknode or UE). As another example, network node 115 may obtain theinformation about the one or more carriers configured for ProSeoperation at UE 110B by receiving the information about the one or morecarriers (or an indication thereof) from another network entity (e.g.,another network node or UE, such as UE 110B).

The information about the one or more carriers configured for ProSeoperation at UE 110B may be any suitable information. For example, theinformation about the one or more carriers may include one or more of:what carriers are supported by UE 110B for ProSe operation; how manycarriers are supported by UE 110B for ProSe operation; what cells aresupported by UE 110B for ProSe operation; how many cells are supportedby UE 110B for ProSe operation; whether or not the carriers and/or cellssupported by UE 110B for ProSe operation are always activated; whetherUE 110B is restricted by a maximum interruption rate; whether UE 110B isrestricted by a block error rate (BLER) target; and any other suitableinformation applicable for ProSe operation on the one or more carriers.

Generally, the above mentioned information is known to serving networknode 115 since it is the task of network node 115 to configure the UEwith CA. All UEs have a primary serving cell (PCell) and network node115 may configure UE 110B with secondary serving cells known as SCells.Typically, SCells are configured by network node 115 on an as-neededbasis (e.g., depending on any suitable criteria such as data traffic UE110B is expected to transmit and/or receive, a load in the cell, etc.).Such additional cells can be deployed on the same or different frequencybands. UE 110B could be under control of a PCell, SCell, or also underPSCell (in case dual connectivity is supported). These additional cellscan be activated and deactivated by network node 115. Hence, informationrelated to how many carriers and/or cells are supported by UE 110Bserved by network node 115 and information related to whether or notthese are currently activated or deactivated may be known to networknode 115.

In some cases, additional requirements may apply that are specific tothe carrier on which UE 110B is configured. An example of suchrestrictions is a limitation on the maximum interruption rate. Forexample, UE 110B may be required to maintain interruption to WAN below acertain level (which could depend on, for example, a DiscontinuousReception (DRX) cycle length, a type of operation, etc.). Since ProSeoperation may cause interruptions to WAN, in such a scenario UE 110B maybe required to maintain a maximum interruption rate (e.g., 0.5% or0.625%) per carrier. This would mean that the probability of incorrectACK/NACK transmission in the UL should not exceed this rate. Typically,this information is well known and specified in a document (e.g.,specification), configured in network node 115, or explicitly signaledto network node 115 by UE 110B.

As another example, UE 110B may be required to maintain a BLER target onWAN operation. The target could be specific to a certain channel,carrier, cell, etc. Typically, this information is also well known andspecified in a document (e.g., specification), configured in networknode 115, or explicitly signaled to network node 115 by UE 110B.

In certain embodiments, network node 115 may also determine whether gapsare configured or requested for ProSe operation on the one or morecarriers. Network node 115 may determine whether gaps are configured orrequested in any suitable manner. For example, in some cases thisinformation is known to network node 115 because it is network node 115that receives a gap request from UE 110B and grants gaps. Hence, it isreasonable to assume that it is known to network node 115 when gaps areconfigured and to which UEs. A UE, such as UE 110B, may or may notrequire gaps for performing ProSe operation (depending on UEcapability).

Network node 115 determines a configuration of UE 110B for ProSeoperation such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation ofUE 110B is below an allowed interruption value. In some cases, networknode 115 determines the configuration for ProSe operation based on theobtained periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B and the obtainedinformation about the one or more carriers configured for ProSeoperation at UE 110B. In certain embodiments, network node 115 mayfurther determine the configuration for ProSe operation of UE 110B basedon whether gaps are determined to be configured or requested for ProSeoperation on the one or more carriers.

In determining the configuration for UE 110B, network node 115 may adaptthe configuration for ProSe operation in any suitable manner. Forexample, in certain embodiments determining the configuration for ProSeoperation may include adaptation of ProSe Scheduling, including one ormore of: adapting the ProSe Direct Discovery periodicity and/or ProSeDirect Communication periodicity; adapting when ProSe operation isallowed; and adapting the maximum interruption allowed on WAN caused byProSe operation on the one or more carriers. As another example, incertain embodiments determining the configuration for ProSe operationmay include adaptation of WAN scheduling, including one or more of:adapting the WAN scheduling such that scheduling of UE 110B in certainsubframes or duration is avoided; and adapting the WAN scheduling suchthat one or more types of UEs are not scheduled in certain subframes orduration.

In determining the configuration for ProSe operation of UE 110B, networknode 115 may determine one or more parameters associated with aconfiguration related to ProSe operation on multiple carriers. Asdescribed above, the current specification supports ProSe operation overmultiple carriers (also known as multicarrier operation), but only onone carrier at time. The resources used for ProSe operation are spacedover time across multiple carriers (at most 2 UL carriers in Release13), but simultaneous ProSe operation over the multiple carriers is notallowed. The number of carriers than can be supported for multicarrierProSe operation, however, can be extended in future releases. Up to 32carriers are possible for CA operation in Release 13. Since ProSeoperation is taking place on the UL part of the cellular spectrum, thisinvolves some resource sharing with WAN and requires interruptions. Theinterruptions should be maintained under acceptable levels in order tonot degrade the cellular performance, and some requirements have beenintroduced for this purpose.

ProSe Direct Discovery UEs can be equipped with a single receiver and/ortransmitter chain that is shared with WAN operation. Gaps are allowedfor ProSe Direct Discovery UEs to enable reusing of the receiver and/ortransmitter chain of WAN. Gaps may reduce the interruptions to WAN asthe network node is aware of them; however, it limits the WAN schedulingopportunities to its cellular UEs. In addition, ProSe operation overmultiple carriers that is spaced over time may also cause interruptionsto WAN operation. This will in turn degrade the WAN performance.Currently, there are no restrictions or requirements on how often suchgaps can be requested by UE 110B and granted by network node 115. Also,there are not restrictions on how often such interruptions can be causedon WAN. The existing requirements currently only set an upper limit(i.e., the maximum interruption that can be allowed on a carrier). Forexample, if the maximum interruption rate is 0.5% per carrier and UE110B is configured with two or several carriers, the total interruptionson all carriers will be much higher. Aggregated ProSe interruptions orgaps over multiple carriers during a certain period of time may severelyimpact the WAN performance (e.g., loss of data, loss of controlinformation, degradation of quality of service (e.g., higher BLERvalue), etc.). This problem may be advantageously overcome by networknode 115 adapting the configuration for ProSe operation of UE 110B, asdescribed in more detail below.

In certain embodiments, network node 115 can get a picture of the ProSeoperation for UE 110B from the obtained periodicity for ProSe operationof UE 110B and the obtained information about one or more carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at UE 110B described above (and, incertain embodiments, whether gaps are determined to be configured orrequested for ProSe operation on the one or more carriers).

For example, the periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B (orinformation related thereto) obtained by network node 115 may provideinformation on how frequent the ProSe operation may take place, and alsoinformation on how long each ProSe burst occurs. The ProSe periodicitycan be denoted as T_(ProSe). If UE 110B is configured with severalcarriers for ProSe operation, T_(ProSe) refers to the shortestperiodicity of the several carriers.

The information about the one or more carriers configured (or requested)for ProSe operation at UE 110B obtained by network node 115 providesinformation on how many carriers are used for ProSe operation. Thenumber of carriers configured or supported for ProSe operation can bedenoted as N_(ProSe-freq).

In certain embodiments, the information about whether gaps areconfigured or requested for ProSe operation determined by network node115 provides information on whether dedicated receiver chain ortransmitter chains are used for ProSe operation on multiple carriers, orif cellular chains are reused to perform ProSe operation.

By combining all the information obtained and/or determined by networknode 115, network node 115 may get a picture of the ProSe operation asillustrated in FIGS. 3-7, described in detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe receiver chain, in accordance with certain embodiments. In FIG. 3,time 5 is on the X-axis and frequency 10 is on the Y-axis. In theexample of FIG. 3, ProSe operation is allowed on two carriers (PCell 305on carrier frequency F1 and SCell 310 on carrier frequency F2). Aplurality of receiver chain gaps 315 (more specifically, receiver chaingaps 315A-E) are used on different occasions on PCell 305 and SCell 310in order to reuse the receiver chain from cellular operation.

FIG. 4 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe transmitter chain, in accordance with certain embodiments. In FIG.4, time 5 is on the X-axis and frequency 10 is on the Y-axis. In theexample of FIG. 4, ProSe operation is allowed on two carriers (PCell 305on carrier frequency F1 and SCell 310 on carrier frequency F2). Aplurality of transmitter chain gaps 405 (more specifically, transmitterchain gaps 405A-E) are used on different occasions on PCell 305 andSCell 310 in order to reuse the transmitter chain from cellularoperation.

FIG. 5 illustrates ProSe operation on two carriers with gaps used forthe receiver and transmitter chains, in accordance with certainembodiments. In FIG. 5, time 5 is on the X-axis and frequency 10 is onthe Y-axis. In the example of FIG. 5, ProSe operation is allowed on twocarriers (PCell 305 on carrier frequency F1 and SCell 310 on carrierfrequency F2). Both receiver chain gaps 315 and transmitter chain gaps405 are used on different occasions on PCell 305 and SCell 310 in orderto reuse the receiver and transmitter chain from cellular operation. Forexample, over the period of time 5 illustrated in FIG. 5 receiver chaingaps 315A and 315B and transmitter chain gap 405C occur on PCell 305,and transmitter chain gap 405D and receiver chain gap 315E occur onSCell 310.

FIGS. 3-5 above show that the gaps (e.g., receiver chain gaps 315 andtransmitter chain gaps 405) can be very dense, and interruptions (ifany) can also be dense. In some cases, retuning of frequency between WANand ProSe may take place outside the gaps, and this will causeinterruptions on all configured serving cells for WAN operation. Inother cases, interruptions may be caused due to retuning between ProSetransmitter and ProSe receiver, and this may cause interruptions on WAN.In some cases, since interruptions are unpredictable this is not knownto the serving network node. This kind of operation and behavior canadversely impact the WAN performance, and the consequence can be reducedsystem and user performance.

Returning to FIG. 2, network node 115 determines the configuration of UE110B for ProSe operation on the at least two carriers such that anamount of aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of UE 110B isbelow an allowed interruption value. The configuration may be determinedbased on the obtained periodicity for ProSe operation of UE 110B and theobtained information about the one or more carriers configured for ProSeoperation at UE 110B. In some cases, the configuration may also bedetermined based on whether gaps are determined to be configured orrequested for ProSe operation on the one or more carriers.

According to one example embodiment, network node 115 determines theconfiguration for ProSe operation by adapting the ProSe periodicity percarrier. This may be achieved using the general expression according toEquation 1 below:T _(ProSe-new) =f(T _(ProSe_ref) ,N _(ProSe-freq))  (1)A specific rule can be specified according to Equation (2) as follows:T _(ProSe-new) ≥T _(ProSe_ref) *N _(ProSe-freq)  (2)In the above expression in Equation (2), T_(ProSe-new) is the minimumperiodicity with which sidelink resources are configured on each carrier(e.g., any of PCell 305, SCell 310, non-serving carrier, etc.) for ProSeoperation. It is expressed in time resources (e.g., TTI, seconds,subframes, X ms, etc.). T_(ProSe_ref) is a reference value. As anexample, T_(ProSe_ref) can be the minimum periodicity with whichsidelink resources are configured on a carrier for ProSe operation ifProSe is configured only on one carrier. In another example,T_(ProSe_ref) can be the minimum value specified in the standard as partof sidelink configuration (e.g., 40 ms). N_(ProSe-freq) is the totalnumber of carriers on which the ProSe operation is configured for a UE(i.e., total number of carriers with sidelinks for the UE).

The new ProSe periodicity in T_(ProSe-new) will ensure that the ProSeburst/operations on different sidelinks belonging to different carriersare spaced apart in time by at least T_(ProSe-new). Consequently, thiswill ensure that WAN performance is not severely impacted and the WANresources are not overused by ProSe. WAN resources in this sense mayalso include WAN hardware (e.g., receiver chains and transmitterchains). In other words, the aggregated interruption on WAN due toretuning or gaps for ProSe operation on multiple carriers will remainwithin a certain limit (e.g., within 0.625% of interruption probabilityon WAN) regardless of number of carriers with sidelink.

In certain embodiments, the new periodicity determined above can bedefined using the information element (IE) SL-DiscResourcePool forDiscovery or IE SL-CommConfig for Communication.

The adaptation of the ProSe periodicity of ProSe resources on sidelinkon a carrier is further described with examples below.

In a first example, it is assumed that UE 110B is configured with twocarriers for ProSe operation. Assume that based on existing approachesthe intended ProSe periodicities are as follows: T_(ProSe1)=40 ms, andT_(ProSe2)=320 ms, and N_(ProSe-freq)=2. Assume further thatT_(ProSe_ref)=40 ms. Based on the rule according to Equation (1) above,the minimum value of periodicity for ProSe sidelink resources on any ofthe two carriers in this first example will be according to Equation (3)below:T _(ProSe-new)≥40*2  (3)This means that the new minimum periodicity for ProSe is 80 ms(T_(ProSe-new)≥80) on each carrier. This is illustrated in FIG. 6 below.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example adaptation of the ProSe periodicity ofProSe resources on sidelink on two carriers, in accordance with certainembodiments. More particularly, FIG. 6 illustrates two scenarios:Scenario (A) and Scenario (B). Scenario (A) illustrates ProSe operationbefore the configuration for ProSe operation of a UE on PCell 305 andSCell 310 is adapted so that an amount of interruptions to WAN operationof the UE is below an allowed interruption value. Scenario (B)illustrates ProSe operation after the configuration for ProSe operationof the UE on PCell 305 and SCell 310 has been adapted so that the amountof interruptions to WAN operation of the UE is below the allowedinterruption value.

In the example of FIG. 6, ProSe operation takes place over multiplecarriers. In FIG. 6, time 5 is on the X-axis and frequency 10 is on theY-axis. A number of instances of ProSe operation 605 are shown. Namely,instances of ProSe operation 605A-C are shown in the example of FIG. 6on PCell 305, and instances of ProSe operation 605D-E are shown in theexample of FIG. 1 on SCell 310.

Scenario (A) reflects the intended periodicities of ProSe operationdescribed above in the first example of adaptation of the ProSeperiodicity of ProSe resources on sidelink on a carrier described above.More particularly, PCell 305 has a periodicity of 40 ms (i.e.,T_(ProSe1)=40 ms) and SCell 310 has a periodicity of 320 ms (i.e.,T_(ProSe2)=320 ms). In the example of FIG. 6, N_(ProSe_freq)=2 andT_(ProSe_ref)=40 ms. Based on the rule according to Equation (1) above,the minimum value of periodicity for ProSe sidelink resources on any ofthe two carriers in the example of FIG. 6 is determined according toEquation (3) below:T _(ProSe-new)≥40*2  (3)This means that the new minimum periodicity for ProSe is 80 ms(T_(ProSe-new)≥80) on each carrier. This is illustrated in Scenario (B)of FIG. 6.

The change in minimum periodicity is reflected in Scenario (B) of FIG.6, and in particular in the placement of ProSe operations 605A-E. Asillustrated by Scenario (B), the minimum periodicity of ProSe operationon PCell 305 (i.e., T_(ProSe1)) is extended from 40 ms to 80 ms percarrier. This enables the network node (e.g., network node 115 describedabove in relation to FIG. 2) to schedule WAN more often within thisduration. For example, typically the ProSe Direct Discovery is used tobroadcast data on a periodic basis. While modifying the periodicity ofsuch information from 40 ms to 80 ms will not cause a big impact, itwill enable stable WAN operation. Since the periodicity of ProSeoperation on SCell 310 (i.e., T_(ProSe2)) is 320 ms (which is alreadylarger than T_(ProSe-new)), T_(ProSe2)=320 ms can be configured on SCell310.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example adaptation of the ProSe periodicity ofProSe resources on sidelink on two carriers with the same periodicities,in accordance with certain embodiments. In FIG. 7, time 5 is on theX-axis and frequency 10 is on the Y-axis. A number of instances of ProSeoperation 705 are shown. Namely, instances of ProSe operation 705A-C areshown in the example of FIG. 7 on PCell 305, and instances of ProSeoperation 705D-E are shown in the example of FIG. 7 on SCell 310.Similar to FIG. 6 described above, in FIG. 7 Scenario (A) illustratesProSe operation before the configuration for ProSe operation of the UEon PCell 305 and SCell 310 is adapted so that an amount of interruptionsto WAN operation of the UE is below an allowed interruption value.Scenario (B) illustrates ProSe operation after the configuration forProSe operation of the UE on PCell 305 and SCell 310 has been adapted sothat the amount of interruptions to WAN operation of UE 110B is belowthe allowed interruption value. In addition, the aggregated gaps 710 onWAN for each of Scenarios (A) and (B) is shown.

In Scenario (A) of the example of FIG. 7, assume that based on existingsolutions the UE is configured with the same periodicity of ProSeoperation on PCell 305 and SCell 310. In other words, T_(ProSe1)=40 ms,and T_(ProSe2)=40 ms). Assume further that N_(ProSe-freq)=2).

In this case, the effective periodicity period 715 will become 20 ms asshown in Scenario (A) of FIG. 7. This means that the ProSe operation onthe two carriers can take place subsequently (e.g., ProSe operation 705Aon PCell 305 and ProSe operation 705D on SCell 310. This in turn willincrease the aggregated interruption on WAN two times compared to thecase if the effective periodicity of sidelink resources on two carriersis 40 ms.

According to the example embodiments of the method described herein(i.e., based on the rule according to Equation (1) above and alsoassuming T_(ProSe_ref)=40 ms), the minimum value of periodicity forProSe sidelink resources on any of the two carriers in this secondexample will be, according to Equation (2) described above, 80 ms. Thisis reflected in Scenario (B).

In Scenario (B), the minimum time between two ProSe occasions is set to80 ms (i.e., T_(ProSe-new)≥80). This will enable fair resource sharingbetween WAN and ProSe. This in turn will ensure that the aggregatedinterruption on WAN due to ProSe operation on two carriers will notexceed, for example, 0.625% interruption probability.

The same principle on aligning the ProSe operation across the configuredcarriers can be used when the UE is configured with any number ofserving cells and any number of carriers with ProSe operations. Notethat the impact on WAN increases with the number of carriers configuredfor WAN as well as the number of carriers with ProSe operation.Therefore the method described herein for aligning the ProSe operationacross the carriers becomes more important with an increased number ofcarriers.

Returning to FIG. 2, network node 115 may also take into account one orseveral additional parameters in determining the configuration for ProSeoperation. For example, network node 115 may take into account one ormore of the following parameters: a maximum interruption rate allowed onWAN caused by a certain carrier and/or all carriers; and a BLER targeton a certain carrier and/or all carriers.

If there is no requirement on maximum interruption rate, or therequirement is very loose, then network node 115 may not use the methoddescribed herein. However, if UE 110B is restricted to maintain acertain interruption target and/or BLER target, then network node 115may use the above described method to ensure that the performance ofboth WAN and ProSe can be maintained under the targets. For thispurpose, network node 115 may in certain embodiments further compare theinterruption rate and/or BLER target to pre-defined or pre-configuredthresholds, and use this comparison to activate the method.

In certain embodiments, network node 115 may communicate the determinedconfiguration for ProSe operation of UE 110B to at least one of anothernetwork node and one or more UEs 110 configured for ProSe operation. Forexample, in certain embodiments network node 115 may signal informationrelated to ProSe operation over multiple carriers to other network nodes(and/or other nodes, such as a UE 110). In certain embodiments, atransmitting node may transmit or signal information to other nodesrelated to power levels of two or more types of reference signals usedfor measurement. Examples of other nodes that may receive theabove-described information include a radio network node (e.g., eNodeB,base station, access point, etc.), ProSe UEs, ProSe relay UEs, IoTdevice, NB-IOT device, core network nodes, positioning node or any othernode used for dedicated services such as self-organizing network (SON)node. The other nodes to which the determined information iscommunicated could also be under operator control or third partycontrol. The other nodes may also be the receiving node.

There may be significant technical advantages to sharing the determinedinformation with other nodes. For example, one potential advantage isthat the same or partial information may be applicable to other nodes innetwork 100, and in that case it can be reused. This way, the ProSeoperation over multiple carriers and/or cells can be further coordinatedin order to further improve the WAN and ProSe performance. This way thepotential gains can be achieved in large scale. As another example, asecond potential advantage is that deriving the measurementconfiguration, which can be quite complex sometimes, can be done in oneplace and only once, and then signaled to other nodes in network 100.This way, processing in the different nodes in network 100 can bereduced.

As described above, in certain embodiments a method in a UE 110, such asUE 110B, for managing interruptions to WAN operation is disclosed. UE110B may be a ProSe capable UE served by network node 115, and mayprovide ProSe over at least two carriers. According to one exampleembodiment, UE 110B configures ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation ofthe wireless device is below an allowed interruption value. In certainembodiments, UE 110B obtains a configuration for ProSe operation of UE110B for the at least two carriers. The obtained configuration mayinclude at least ProSe radio resources for performing ProSe operation onthe at least two carriers, and configures ProSe radio resources on theat least two carriers based on the obtained configuration. In certainembodiments, UE 110B obtains a minimum value of periodicity with whichto configure ProSe operation of UE 110B on the at least two carriers,and configures the ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriersbased on the obtained minimum value of periodicity. The minimum value ofperiodicity may comprise a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to WAN operation of UE 110B to bebelow an allowed interruption value.

UE 110B may obtain the configuration for ProSe operation of UE 110B forthe at least two carriers in any suitable manner. For example, incertain embodiments UE 110B obtains the configuration for ProSeoperation (or information about the configuration for ProSe operation)from network node 115 as described above with respect to network node115 communicating the adapted configuration. The obtained configurationfor ProSe operation of UE 110B (or the information about theconfiguration for ProSe operation of UE 110B) may include the sidelinkresource configuration as adapted by network node 115, for example inthe manner described above.

UE 110B may obtain the minimum value of periodicity with which toconfigure ProSe operation of UE 110B on the at least two carriers in anysuitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments UE 110B may obtaininformation about the minimum periodicity of ProSe sidelink resources(i.e., T_(ProSe-new) and related parameters) in an analogous manner tothat described above with respect to network node 115. UE 110B mayobtain this information based on, for example, one or more pre-definedrules, based on an indication received from network node 115, or basedon an indication received from another ProSe UE 110. A general rule canbe specified as follows (i.e., the minimum periodicity of ProSeresources (T_(ProSe-min)) on each carrier for UE 110B) according toEquation (4):T _(ProSe-min) =f(T _(ProSe_ref) ,N _(ProSe-freq))  (4)A specific example to determine T_(ProSe-min) is as follows according toEquation (5):T _(ProSe-min) ≥T _(ProSe_ref) *N _(ProSe-freq)  (5)

In certain embodiments, the following can be pre-defined as shown inTables 1-3 below (assuming T_(ProSe_ref)=40 ms). The new periodicitythat is determined can be defined using the IE SL-DiscResourcePool forDiscovery or IE SL-CommConfig for Communication.

TABLE 1 ProSe configuration with minimum ProSe periodicity of sidelinkresources on PCell and one SCell Minimum ProSe periodicity(T_(ProSe-new)) expressed in ms. This can be defined using the IESL-DiscResourcePool for UE serving Discovery or IE SL-CommConfig forCommunication. cells T_(ProSe1) T_(ProSe2) PCell ≥80 N/A SCell N/A ≥80

TABLE 2 ProSe configuration with minimum ProSe periodicity of sidelinkresources on PCell and two SCells Minimum ProSe periodicity(T_(ProSe-new)) expressed in ms. This can be defined using the IESL-DiscResourcePool for UE serving Discovery or IE SL-CommConfig forCommunication. cells T_(ProSe1) T_(ProSe2) T_(ProSe3) PCell ≥120 N/ASCell1 N/A ≥120 SCell2 NA NA ≥120

TABLE 3 ProSe configuration with minimum ProSe periodicity of SLresources on PCell and non-serving cell Minimum ProSe periodicity(T_(proSe-new)) expressed in ms. This can be defined using the IESL-DiscResourcePool UE serving for Discovery or IE SL-CommConfig forCommunication. cells T_(ProSe1) T_(ProSe2) PCell ≥80 N/A Non-serving N/A≥80 cell

In certain embodiments, UE 110B configures ProSe radio resources on theat least two carriers based on the obtained configuration and theobtained minimum value of periodicity with which to configure ProSeoperation of UE 110B. For example, in certain embodiments UE 110Bcompares the obtained information (i.e., the obtained configuration forProSe operation of UE 110B on the at least two cells belonging todifferent carriers and the obtained minimum value of periodicity withwhich to configure ProSe operation of UE 110B) and performs one of thefollowing operations. If the obtained periodicity of sidelink resourcesfor ProSe operation on each carrier is larger than or equal to theobtained minimum value of periodicity (T_(ProSe-new)), then UE 110Bconfigures those sidelink resources on the indicated carriers forperforming ProSe operation.

If the obtained periodicity of sidelink resources for ProSe operation onany carrier is less than the obtained minimum value of periodicity, thenthe UE performs one or more of the following operations. UE 110B mayconfigure sidelink resources only on that indicated carrier forperforming ProSe operation for which sidelink resource periodicity isequal to or larger than the minimum value (e.g., 80 ms). UE 110B may notconfigure sidelink resources on any indicated carrier for performingProSe operation for which sidelink resource periodicity is less than theminimum value (e.g., 80 ms). UE 110B may adapt and then configuresidelink resources on any indicated carrier for performing ProSeoperation for which sidelink resource periodicity is less than theminimum value (e.g., 80 ms). The adaptation herein means that UE 110Bconfigures the sidelink resources with at least minimum periodicity(T_(ProSe-new)). In this case, UE 110B may also optionally informnetwork node 115 that UE 110B has configured the ProSe sidelinkresources with the adapted value of ProSe sidelink periodicity(T_(ProS-new)).

After configuring the ProSe sidelink resources, UE 110B may performProSe operation on the carriers and also perform WAN operation on one ormore serving cells. Performing ProSe operation on the carriers using theconfigured ProSe sidelink resources may advantageously allow UE 110B toperform ProSe operation while not exceeding a maximum interruptionprobability in terms of missed ACK/NACK on WAN operation.

In certain embodiments, UE 110B may also obtain the allowed interruptionvalue. For example, UE 110B may obtain a maximum allowed value ofinterruption probability on one or more serving cells due to ProSeoperation on one or more carriers. In some cases, the allowedinterruption value may be based on a number of missed HARQ ACK/NACK. UE110B may adapt its receiver and/or transmitter configuration whileperforming ProSe to ensure that the aggregated value of interruptionprobability/rate on WAN operation does not exceed the obtained value(e.g., 0.625%).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method 800 in a network node. Moreparticularly, FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of method 800 for managinginterruptions to WAN operation of a wireless device, wherein thewireless device provides ProSe over at least two carriers. The methodbegins at step 804, where the network node determines a configuration ofthe wireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below anallowed interruption value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on a periodicity for ProSeoperation of the wireless device on one or more of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. Incertain embodiments, the method may comprise determining whether gapsare configured or requested for ProSe operation on one or more of the atleast two carriers, and determining the configuration of the wirelessdevice based on whether gaps are determined to be configured orrequested for ProSe operation on one or more of the at least twocarriers.

In certain embodiments, determining the configuration may compriseadapting a ProSe periodicity of at least one of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. Theadapted ProSe periodicity of the at least one carrier may be a functionof a total number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. The adapted ProSe periodicity of the at least onecarrier may be a function of a reference value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on information about one ormore of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. The information about the one or more carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at the wireless device may comprise oneor more of: a number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a type of carrier configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a number of cells configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a type of cell configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; an activation status of at least one of the at leasttwo carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device; amaximum interruption rate of at least one of the at least two carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at the wireless device; and a targetblock error rate of at least one of the at least two carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at the wireless device.

In certain embodiments, determining the configuration may comprisemodifying a number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. Determining the configuration may comprise adapting aProSe scheduling configuration for the wireless device. Determining theconfiguration may comprise adapting a WAN scheduling configuration forthe wireless device.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise communicating thedetermined configuration to at least one of: another network node; andone or more wireless devices configured for ProSe operation. In certainembodiments, the allowed interruption value may be based on a number ofmissed HARQ ACK/NACK. Any of the above features may be considered assteps of a method or a functionality of a network.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method 900 in a wireless device, inaccordance with certain embodiments. More particularly, FIG. 9 is a flowdiagram of method 900 for managing interruptions to WAN operation of thewireless device, wherein the wireless device provides ProSe over atleast two carriers. Method 900 includes step 904, where the wirelessdevice configures ProSe radio resources on the at least two carrierssuch that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of thewireless device is below an allowed interruption value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise performing ProSeoperation on the at least two carriers using the configured ProSe radioresources. In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining theallowed interruption value. The allowed interruption value may be basedon a number of missed HARQ ACK/NACK.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining aconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device for the atleast two carriers, the obtained configuration comprising at least ProSeradio resources for performing ProSe operation on the at least twocarriers, and the configuring ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers may be based on the obtained configuration. Obtaining theconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device may comprisereceiving the configuration for ProSe operation of the wireless devicefrom a network node.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise obtaining a minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device on the at least two carriers, the minimum value ofperiodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wirelessdevice to be below the allowed interruption value, and the configuringthe ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriers may be based onthe obtained minimum value of periodicity. The minimum value ofperiodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of the wirelessdevice may be a function of a total number of carriers configured forProSe operation at the wireless device. The minimum value of periodicitywith which to configure ProSe operation of the wireless device may be afunction of a reference value.

In certain embodiments, the method may comprise comparing the obtainedconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device and theobtained minimum value of periodicity with which to configure ProSeoperation of the wireless device. The method may comprise configuringradio resources on at least one of the at least two carriers forperforming ProSe operation if a periodicity of ProSe operation on acarrier in the obtained configuration is larger than or equal to theminimum value of periodicity. The method may comprise performing one ormore of the following operations if a periodicity of ProSe operation ona carrier in the obtained configuration is less than the minimum valueof periodicity: configuring radio resources only on one or more carriershaving a periodicity of ProSe operation that is equal to or larger thanthe minimum value of periodicity; not configuring radio resources on acarrier that has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than theminimum value of periodicity; or configuring radio resources on acarrier that has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than theminimum value of periodicity after adapting the ProSe periodicity of thecarrier to have at least the minimum periodicity. In certainembodiments, the method may comprise informing a network node that thewireless device has configured radio resources on the carrier with anadapted value of ProSe periodicity. Any of the above features may beconsidered as steps of a method or a functionality of a network.

FIG. 10 is a block schematic of an exemplary wireless device 110, inaccordance with certain embodiments. Wireless device 110 may refer toany type of wireless device communicating with a node and/or withanother wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system.Examples of wireless device 110 include a mobile phone, a smart phone, aPDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a portable computer (e.g., laptop,tablet), a sensor, an actuator, a modem, a machine-type-communication(MTC) device/machine-to-machine (M2M) device, laptop embedded equipment(LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, a D2D capabledevice, or another device that can provide wireless communication. Awireless device 110 may also be referred to as UE, a station (STA), adevice, or a terminal in some embodiments. Wireless device 110 includestransceiver 1010, processing circuitry 1020, and memory 1030. In someembodiments, transceiver 1010 facilitates transmitting wireless signalsto and receiving wireless signals from network node 115 (e.g., via anantenna), processing circuitry 1020 executes instructions to providesome or all of the functionality described above as being provided bywireless device 110, and memory 1030 stores the instructions executed byprocessing circuitry 1020.

Processing circuitry 1020 may include any suitable combination ofhardware and software implemented in one or more modules to executeinstructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the describedfunctions of wireless device 110, such as the functions of wirelessdevice 110 described above in relation to FIGS. 1-9. In someembodiments, processing circuitry 1020 may include, for example, one ormore computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or moremicroprocessors, one or more applications, one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs) and/or other logic.

Memory 1030 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by processing circuitry 1020. Examples ofmemory 1030 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and/orinstructions that may be used by processing circuitry 1020.

Other embodiments of wireless device 110 may include additionalcomponents beyond those shown in FIG. 10 that may be responsible forproviding certain aspects of the wireless device's functionality,including any of the functionality described above and/or any additionalfunctionality (including any functionality necessary to support thesolution described above). As just one example, wireless device 110 mayinclude input devices and circuits, output devices, and one or moresynchronization units or circuits, which may be part of the processingcircuitry 1020. Input devices include mechanisms for entry of data intowireless device 110. For example, input devices may include inputmechanisms, such as a microphone, input elements, a display, etc. Outputdevices may include mechanisms for outputting data in audio, videoand/or hard copy format. For example, output devices may include aspeaker, a display, etc.

FIG. 11 is a block schematic of an exemplary network node 115, inaccordance with certain embodiments. Network node 115 may be any type ofradio network node or any network node that communicates with a UEand/or with another network node. Examples of network node 115 includean eNodeB, a node B, a base station, a wireless access point (e.g., aWi-Fi access point), a low power node, a base transceiver station (BTS),relay, donor node controlling relay, transmission points, transmissionnodes, remote RF unit (RRU), remote radio head (RRH), multi-standardradio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, nodes in distributed antennasystem (DAS), O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node (e.g., E-SMLC), MDT, orany other suitable network node. Network nodes 115 may be deployedthroughout network 100 as a homogenous deployment, heterogeneousdeployment, or mixed deployment. A homogeneous deployment may generallydescribe a deployment made up of the same (or similar) type of networknodes 115 and/or similar coverage and cell sizes and inter-sitedistances. A heterogeneous deployment may generally describe deploymentsusing a variety of types of network nodes 115 having different cellsizes, transmit powers, capacities, and inter-site distances. Forexample, a heterogeneous deployment may include a plurality of low-powernodes placed throughout a macro-cell layout. Mixed deployments mayinclude a mix of homogenous portions and heterogeneous portions.

Network node 115 may include one or more of transceiver 1110, processingcircuitry 1120, memory 1130, and network interface 1140. In someembodiments, transceiver 1110 facilitates transmitting wireless signalsto and receiving wireless signals from wireless device 110 (e.g., viaantenna 1150), processing circuitry 1120 executes instructions toprovide some or all of the functionality described above as beingprovided by a network node 115, memory 1130 stores the instructionsexecuted by processing circuitry 1120, and network interface 1140communicates signals to backend network components, such as a gateway,switch, router, Internet, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), corenetwork nodes or radio network controllers 130, etc.

Processing circuitry 1120 may include any suitable combination ofhardware and software implemented in one or more modules to executeinstructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the describedfunctions of network node 115, such as those described above in relationto FIGS. 1-9. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1120 mayinclude, for example, one or more computers, one or more centralprocessing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or moreapplications, and/or other logic.

Memory 1130 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by processing circuitry 1120. Examples ofmemory 1130 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information.

In some embodiments, network interface 1140 is communicatively coupledto processing circuitry 1120 and may refer to any suitable deviceoperable to receive input for network node 115, send output from networknode 115, perform suitable processing of the input or output or both,communicate to other devices, or any combination of the preceding.Network interface 1140 may include appropriate hardware (e.g., port,modem, network interface card, etc.) and software, including protocolconversion and data processing capabilities, to communicate through anetwork.

Other embodiments of network node 115 may include additional componentsbeyond those shown in FIG. 11 that may be responsible for providingcertain aspects of the radio network node's functionality, including anyof the functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the solutionsdescribed above). The various different types of network nodes mayinclude components having the same physical hardware but configured(e.g., via programming) to support different radio access technologies,or may represent partly or entirely different physical components.

FIG. 12 is a block schematic of an exemplary radio network controller orcore network node 130, in accordance with certain embodiments. Examplesof network nodes can include a mobile switching center (MSC), a servingGPRS support node (SGSN), a mobility management entity (MME), a radionetwork controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), and so on.The radio network controller or core network node 130 includesprocessing circuitry 1220, memory 1230, and network interface 1240. Insome embodiments, processing circuitry 1220 executes instructions toprovide some or all of the functionality described above as beingprovided by the network node, memory 1230 stores the instructionsexecuted by processing circuitry 1220, and network interface 1240communicates signals to any suitable node, such as a gateway, switch,router, Internet, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), networknodes 115, radio network controllers or core network nodes 130, etc.

Processing circuitry 1220 may include any suitable combination ofhardware and software implemented in one or more modules to executeinstructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the describedfunctions of the radio network controller or core network node 130. Insome embodiments, processing circuitry 1220 may include, for example,one or more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), oneor more microprocessors, one or more applications, and/or other logic.

Memory 1230 is generally operable to store instructions, such as acomputer program, software, an application including one or more oflogic, rules, algorithms, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructionscapable of being executed by processing circuitry 1220. Examples ofmemory 1230 include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory(RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, ahard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) ora Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or or any other volatile ornon-volatile, non-transitory computer-readable and/orcomputer-executable memory devices that store information.

In some embodiments, network interface 1240 is communicatively coupledto processing circuitry 1220 and may refer to any suitable deviceoperable to receive input for the network node, send output from thenetwork node, perform suitable processing of the input or output orboth, communicate to other devices, or any combination of the preceding.Network interface 1240 may include appropriate hardware (e.g., port,modem, network interface card, etc.) and software, including protocolconversion and data processing capabilities, to communicate through anetwork.

Other embodiments of the network node may include additional componentsbeyond those shown in FIG. 13 that may be responsible for providingcertain aspects of the network node's functionality, including any ofthe functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the solution describedabove).

FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary wireless device, inaccordance with certain embodiments. Wireless device 110 may include oneor more modules. For example, wireless device 110 may include adetermining module 1310, a communication module 1320, a receiving module1330, an input module 1340, a display module 1350, and any othersuitable modules. In some embodiments, one or more of determining module1310, communication module 1320, receiving module 1330, input module1340, display module 1350, or any other suitable module may beimplemented using one or more processors, such as processing circuitry1020 described above in relation to FIG. 10. In certain embodiments, thefunctions of two or more of the various modules may be combined into asingle module. Wireless device 110 may perform the methods for limitinginterruption in multicarrier ProSe operation described above withrespect to FIGS. 1-9.

Determining module 1310 may perform the processing functions of wirelessdevice 110. As one example, determining module 1310 may configure ProSeradio resources on the at least two carriers such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below anallowed interruption value. As another example, determining module 1310may obtain a configuration for ProSe operation of the wireless devicefor the at least two carriers, the obtained configuration comprising atleast ProSe radio resources for performing ProSe operation on the atleast two carriers, and configure ProSe radio resources on the at leasttwo carriers based on the obtained configuration. As another example,determining module 1310 may obtain a minimum value of periodicity withwhich to configure ProSe operation of the wireless device on the atleast two carriers, the minimum value of periodicity comprising aminimum periodicity for ProSe operation that enables the aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device to be below theallowed interruption value, and configure the ProSe radio resources onthe at least two carriers based on the obtained minimum value ofperiodicity. As still another example, determining module 1310 mayperform ProSe operation on the at least two carriers using theconfigured ProSe radio resources. As yet another example, determiningmodule 1310 may compare the obtained configuration for ProSe operationof the wireless device and the obtained minimum value of periodicitywith which to configure ProSe operation of the wireless device.Determining module 1310 may configure radio resources on at least one ofthe at least two carriers for performing ProSe operation if aperiodicity of ProSe operation on a carrier in the obtainedconfiguration is larger than or equal to the minimum value ofperiodicity. Determining module 1310 may perform one or more of thefollowing operations if a periodicity of ProSe operation on a carrier inthe obtained configuration is less than the minimum value ofperiodicity: configure radio resources only on one or more carriershaving a periodicity of ProSe operation that is equal to or larger thanthe minimum value of periodicity; not configure radio resources on acarrier that has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than theminimum value of periodicity; or configure radio resources on a carrierthat has a periodicity of ProSe operation that is less than the minimumvalue of periodicity after adapting the ProSe periodicity of the carrierto have at least the minimum periodicity. As another example,determining module 1310 may obtain the allowed interruption value.

Determining module 1310 may include or be included in one or moreprocessors, such as processing circuitry 1020 described above inrelation to FIG. 10. Determining module 1310 may include analog and/ordigital circuitry configured to perform any of the functions ofdetermining module 1310 and/or processing circuitry 1020 describedabove. The functions of determining module 1310 described above may, incertain embodiments, be performed in one or more distinct modules.

Communication module 1320 may perform the transmission functions ofwireless device 110. As one example, communication module 1330 mayinform a network node that the wireless device has configured radioresources on the carrier with an adapted value of ProSe periodicity.Communication module 1320 may include a transmitter and/or atransceiver, such as transceiver 1010 described above in relation toFIG. 10. Communication module 1320 may include circuitry configured towirelessly transmit messages and/or signals. In particular embodiments,communication module 1320 may receive messages and/or signals fortransmission from determining module 1310. In certain embodiments, thefunctions of communication module 1320 described above may be performedin one or more distinct modules.

Receiving module 1330 may perform the receiving functions of wirelessdevice 110. For example, receiving module 1330 may obtain aconfiguration for ProSe operation of the wireless device for the atleast two carriers, the obtained configuration comprising at least ProSeradio resources for performing ProSe operation on the at least twocarriers. As another example, receiving module 1330 may obtain a minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device on the at least two carriers, the minimum value ofperiodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wirelessdevice to be below the allowed interruption value. As still anotherexample, receiving module 1330 may receive the configuration for ProSeoperation of the wireless device from a network node. As yet anotherexample, receiving module 1330 may obtain the allowed interruptionvalue.

Receiving module 1330 may include a receiver and/or a transceiver.Receiving module 1330 may include a receiver and/or a transceiver, suchas transceiver 1010 described above in relation to FIG. 10. Receivingmodule 1330 may include circuitry configured to wirelessly receivemessages and/or signals. In particular embodiments, receiving module1330 may communicate received messages and/or signals to determiningmodule 1310. The functions of receiving module 1330 described above may,in certain embodiments, be performed in one or more distinct modules.

Input module 1340 may receive user input intended for wireless device110. For example, the input module may receive key presses, buttonpresses, touches, swipes, audio signals, video signals, and/or any otherappropriate signals. The input module may include one or more keys,buttons, levers, switches, touchscreens, microphones, and/or cameras.The input module may communicate received signals to determining module1310. The functions of input module 1340 described above may, in certainembodiments, be performed in one or more distinct modules.

Display module 1350 may present signals on a display of wireless device110. Display module 1350 may include the display and/or any appropriatecircuitry and hardware configured to present signals on the display.Display module 1350 may receive signals to present on the display fromdetermining module 1310. The functions of display module 1350 describedabove may, in certain embodiments, be performed in one or more distinctmodules.

Determining module 1310, communication module 1320, receiving module1330, input module 1340, and display module 1350 may include anysuitable configuration of hardware and/or software. Wireless device 110may include additional modules beyond those shown in FIG. 13 that may beresponsible for providing any suitable functionality, including any ofthe functionality described above and/or any additional functionality(including any functionality necessary to support the various solutionsdescribed herein).

FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary network node 115,in accordance with certain embodiments. Network node 115 may include oneor more modules. For example, network node 115 may include determiningmodule 1410, communication module 1420, receiving module 1430, and anyother suitable modules. In some embodiments, one or more of determiningmodule 1410, communication module 1420, receiving module 1430, or anyother suitable module may be implemented using one or more processors,such as processing circuitry 1120 described above in relation to FIG.11. In certain embodiments, the functions of two or more of the variousmodules may be combined into a single module. Network node 115 mayperform the methods for limiting interruption in multicarrier ProSeoperation described above with respect to FIGS. 1-9.

Determining module 1410 may perform the processing functions of networknode 115. As an example, determining module 1410 may determine aconfiguration of the wireless device for ProSe operation such that anaggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device isbelow an allowed interruption value. As another example, determiningmodule 1410 may determine the configuration of the wireless device basedon a periodicity for ProSe operation of the wireless device on one ormore of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device. As another example, determining module 1410 maydetermine the configuration of the wireless device based on informationabout one or more of the at least two carriers configured for ProSeoperation at the wireless device. As still another example, determiningmodule 1410 may determine whether gaps are configured or requested forProSe operation on one or more of the at least two carriers, anddetermine the configuration of the wireless device based on whether gapsare determined to be configured or requested for ProSe operation on oneor more of the at least two carriers. As yet another example,determining module 1410 may adapt a ProSe periodicity of at least one ofthe at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice. As additional examples, in determining the configurationdetermining module 1410 may perform one or more of: modify a number ofcarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device; adapt aProSe scheduling configuration for the wireless device; and adapt a WANscheduling configuration for the wireless device. As still anotherexample, determining module 1410 may obtain a periodicity for ProSeoperation of a wireless device, the wireless device served by thenetwork node. As another example, determining module 1410 may obtaininformation about one or more carriers configured for ProSe operation atthe wireless device. As still another example, determining module 1410may adapt a configuration for ProSe operation of the wireless device onthe one or more carriers so that an amount of interruptions to WANoperation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value,the configuration adapted based on the obtained periodicity for ProSeoperation of the wireless device and the obtained information about theone or more carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice.

Determining module 1410 may include or be included in one or moreprocessors, such as processing circuitry 1120 described above inrelation to FIG. 11. Determining module 1410 may include analog and/ordigital circuitry configured to perform any of the functions ofdetermining module 1410 and/or processing circuitry 1120 describedabove. The functions of determining module 1410 may, in certainembodiments, be performed in one or more distinct modules.

Communication module 1420 may perform the transmission functions ofnetwork node 115. As one example, communication module 1420 maycommunicate the determined configuration to at least one of: anothernetwork node; and one or more wireless devices configured for ProSeoperation. Communication module 1420 may transmit messages to one ormore of wireless devices 110. Communication module 1420 may include atransmitter and/or a transceiver, such as transceiver 1110 describedabove in relation to FIG. 11. Communication module 1420 may includecircuitry configured to wirelessly transmit messages and/or signals. Inparticular embodiments, communication module 1420 may receive messagesand/or signals for transmission from determining module 1410 or anyother module. The functions of communication module 1420 may, in certainembodiments, be performed in one or more distinct modules.

Receiving module 1430 may perform the receiving functions of networknode 115. As one example, receiving module 1430 may obtain a periodicityfor ProSe operation of a wireless device, the wireless device served bythe network node. As another example, receiving module 1430 may obtaininformation about one or more carriers configured for ProSe operation atthe wireless device. Receiving module 1430 may receive any suitableinformation from a wireless device. Receiving module 1430 may include areceiver and/or a transceiver, such as transceiver 1110 described abovein relation to FIG. 11. Receiving module 1430 may include circuitryconfigured to wirelessly receive messages and/or signals. In particularembodiments, receiving module 1430 may communicate received messagesand/or signals to determining module 1410 or any other suitable module.The functions of receiving module 1430 may, in certain embodiments, beperformed in one or more distinct modules.

Determining module 1410, communication module 1420, and receiving module1430 may include any suitable configuration of hardware and/or software.Network node 115 may include additional modules beyond those shown inFIG. 14 that may be responsible for providing any suitablefunctionality, including any of the functionality described above and/orany additional functionality (including any functionality necessary tosupport the various solutions described herein).

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems andapparatuses described herein without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. The components of the systems and apparatuses may beintegrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems andapparatuses may be performed by more, fewer, or other components.

Additionally, operations of the systems and apparatuses may be performedusing any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or otherlogic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a setor each member of a subset of a set.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the methodsdescribed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Themethods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps maybe performed in any suitable order.

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainembodiments, alterations and permutations of the embodiments will beapparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above descriptionof the embodiments does not constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are possible without departing from thespirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.

Abbreviations used in the preceding description include:

-   -   3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project    -   ACK Acknowledgement    -   AP Access point    -   BCH Broadcast channel    -   BLER Block error rate    -   BS Base station    -   BSC Base station controller    -   BTS Base transceiver station    -   CA Carrier aggregation    -   CC Component carrier    -   D2D Device-to-Device    -   DAS Distributed antenna system    -   DC Dual Connectivity    -   DFT Discrete Fourier Transform    -   DL Downlink    -   DL-SCH Downlink shared channel    -   DRX Discontinuous reception    -   EARFCN Evolved absolute radio frequency channel number    -   ECGI Evolved CGI    -   eNB eNodeB    -   FDD Frequency division duplex    -   FFT Fast Fourier transform    -   HD-FDD Half duplex FDD    -   HO Handover    -   LTE Long Term Evolution    -   M2M Machine-to-machine    -   MAC Media access control    -   MCG Master cell group    -   MDT Minimization of drive tests    -   MeNB Master eNode B    -   MIB Master Information Block    -   MME Mobility management entity    -   MRTD Maximum receive timing difference    -   MSR Multi-standard radio    -   MTC Machine-type-communication    -   NACK Negative Acknowledgement    -   OFDM Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing    -   SI System Information    -   SIB System Information Block    -   PCC Primary component carrier    -   PCI Physical cell identity    -   PCell Primary Cell    -   PCG Primary Cell Group    -   PCH Paging channel    -   PDU Protocol data unit    -   PGW Packet gateway    -   PHICH Physical HARQ indication channel    -   PLMN Public land mobile network    -   ProSe Proximity Service    -   PSCell Primary SCell    -   PSC Primary serving cell    -   PSS Primary synchronization signal    -   PSSS Primary Sidelink Synchronization Signal    -   RAT Radio Access Technology    -   RF Radio frequency    -   RLM Radio link monitoring    -   RNC Radio Network Controller    -   RRC Radio resource control    -   RRH Remote radio head    -   RRU Remote radio unit    -   RSCP Received signal code power    -   RSRP Reference Signal Received Power    -   RSRQ Reference Signal Received Quality    -   RSSI Received signal strength indication    -   RSTD Reference signal time difference    -   SA Scheduling Assignment    -   SCC Secondary component carrier    -   SCell Secondary Cell    -   SCG Secondary Cell Group    -   SeNB Secondary eNode B    -   SIB System Information Block    -   SINR Signal to interference and noise ratio    -   SON Self-organizing networks    -   SSC Secondary serving cell    -   SSS Secondary synchronization signal    -   SSSS Secondary Sidelink Synchronization Signal    -   TDD Time division duplex    -   Tx Transmitter    -   UARFCN UMTS Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number    -   UE User equipment    -   UL Uplink    -   V2X Vehicle-to-X    -   V2I Vehicle-to-Infrastructure    -   V2P Vehicle-to-Pedestrian    -   WAN Wide Area Network

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method in a network node for managinginterruptions to Wide Area Network, WAN, operation of a wireless device,wherein the wireless device provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over atleast two carriers, the method comprising: determining a configurationof the wireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device due to ProSeoperations on the at least two carriers is below an allowed interruptionvalue, wherein determining the configuration comprises adapting a ProSeperiodicity of at least one of the at least two carriers configured forProSe operation at the wireless device to an adapted value as a functionof a total number of carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device.
 2. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on a periodicity for ProSeoperation of the wireless device on one or more of the at least twocarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, comprising: determining whether gaps are configuredor requested for ProSe operation on one or more of the at least twocarriers; and wherein the method comprises determining the configurationof the wireless device based on whether gaps are determined to beconfigured or requested for ProSe operation on one or more of the atleast two carriers.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adapted ProSeperiodicity of the at least one carrier is a function of a referencevalue.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining theconfiguration of the wireless device based on information about one ormore of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the information aboutone or more carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice comprises one or more of: a number of carriers configured forProSe operation at the wireless device; a type of carrier configured forProSe operation at the wireless device; a number of cells configured forProSe operation at the wireless device; a type of cell configured forProSe operation at the wireless device; an activation status of at leastone of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device; a maximum interruption rate of at least one of the atleast two carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice; and a target block error rate of at least one of the at leasttwo carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the allowed interruption value is basedon a number of missed Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)Acknowledgement (ACK)/Negative Acknowledgement (NACK).
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein determining the configuration comprises modifying anumber of carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the configurationcomprises adapting a ProSe scheduling configuration for the wirelessdevice.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the configurationcomprises adapting a WAN scheduling configuration for the wirelessdevice.
 11. The method of claim 1, comprising communicating thedetermined configuration to at least one of: another network node; andone or more wireless devices configured for ProSe operation.
 12. Amethod in a wireless device for managing interruptions to Wide AreaNetwork, WAN, operation of the wireless device, wherein the wirelessdevice provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers,the method comprising: configuring ProSe radio resources on the at leasttwo carriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operationof the wireless device due to ProSe operations on the at least twocarriers is below an allowed interruption value; and obtaining a minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device on the at least two carriers, the minimum value ofperiodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wirelessdevice to be below the allowed interruption value, wherein theconfiguring the ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriers isbased on the obtained minimum value of periodicity, and the minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device is a function of a total number of carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at the wireless device.
 13. The method of claim 12,comprising: obtaining a configuration for ProSe operation of thewireless device for the at least two carriers, the obtainedconfiguration comprising at least ProSe radio resources for performingProSe operation on the at least two carriers; and wherein theconfiguring ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriers is basedon the obtained configuration.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinobtaining the configuration for ProSe operation of the wireless devicecomprises: receiving the configuration for ProSe operation of thewireless device from a network node.
 15. The method of claim 13,comprising comparing the obtained configuration for ProSe operation ofthe wireless device and the obtained minimum value of periodicity withwhich to configure ProSe operation of the wireless device.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, comprising: configuring radio resources on at leastone of the at least two carriers for performing ProSe operation if aperiodicity of ProSe operation on a carrier in the obtainedconfiguration is larger than or equal to the minimum value ofperiodicity.
 17. The method of claim 13, comprising informing a networknode that the wireless device has configured radio resources on thecarrier with an adapted value of ProSe periodicity.
 18. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the minimum value of periodicity with which toconfigure ProSe operation of the wireless device is a function of areference value.
 19. The method of claim 12, comprising performing oneor more of the following operations if a periodicity of ProSe operationon a carrier is less than the minimum value of periodicity: configuringradio resources only on one or more carriers having a periodicity ofProSe operation that is equal to or larger than a/the minimum value ofperiodicity; not configuring radio resources on a carrier that has aperiodicity of ProSe operation that is less than the minimum value ofperiodicity; or configuring radio resources on a carrier that has aperiodicity of ProSe operation that is less than the minimum value ofperiodicity after adapting the ProSe periodicity of the carrier to haveat least the minimum periodicity.
 20. The method of claim 12, comprisingperforming ProSe operation on the at least two carriers using theconfigured ProSe radio resources.
 21. The method of claim 12, comprisingobtaining the allowed interruption value.
 22. The method of claim 12,wherein the allowed interruption value is based on a number of missedHybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) Acknowledgement (ACK)/NegativeAcknowledgement (NACK).
 23. A network node for managing interruptions toWide Area Network, WAN, operation of a wireless device, wherein thewireless device provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over at least twocarriers, the network node comprising: a receiver; a transmitter;memory; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to thereceiver, the transmitter, and the memory, the processing circuitryconfigured to: determine a configuration of the wireless device forProSe operation such that an aggregated interruption to the WANoperation of the wireless device due to ProSe operations on the at leasttwo carriers is below an allowed interruption value, wherein determiningthe configuration comprises adapting a ProSe periodicity of at least oneof the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operation at thewireless device to an adapted value as a function of a total number ofcarriers configured for ProSe operation at the wireless device.
 24. Awireless device for managing interruptions to Wide Area Network, WAN,operation of the wireless device, wherein the wireless device providesProximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers, the wirelessdevice comprising: a receiver; a transmitter; memory; and processingcircuitry communicatively coupled to the receiver, the transmitter, andthe memory, the processing circuitry configured to: configure ProSeradio resources on the at least two carriers such that an aggregatedinterruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device due to ProSeoperations on the at least two carriers is below an allowed interruptionvalue; and obtain a minimum value of periodicity with which to configureProSe operation of the wireless device on the at least two carriers, theminimum value of periodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSeoperation that enables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operationof the wireless device to be below the allowed interruption value,wherein the configuring the ProSe radio resources on the at least twocarriers is based on the obtained minimum value of periodicity, and theminimum value of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation ofthe wireless device is a function of a total number of carriersconfigured for ProSe operation at the wireless device.
 25. Anon-transitory computer readable memory device storing a computerprogram comprising program instructions that, when executed on a networknode configured to operate in a Wide Area Network, WAN, cause theprocessing circuitry to: determine a configuration of the wirelessdevice for ProSe operation such that an aggregated interruption to theWAN operation of the wireless device due to ProSe operations on the atleast two carriers is below an allowed interruption value, whereindetermining the configuration comprises adapting a ProSe periodicity ofat least one of the at least two carriers configured for ProSe operationat the wireless device to an adapted value as a function of a totalnumber of carriers configured for ProSe operation at the wirelessdevice.
 26. A non-transitory computer readable memory device storing acomputer program for managing interruptions to Wide Area Network, WAN,operation of the wireless device, wherein the wireless device providesProximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers, the computerprogram comprising program instructions that, when executed on awireless device configured to provide Proximity Services, ProSe, causethe processing circuitry to: configure ProSe radio resources on the atleast two carriers such that an aggregated interruption to the WANoperation of the wireless device due to ProSe operations on the at leasttwo carriers is below an allowed interruption value; and obtain aminimum value of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation ofthe wireless device on the at least two carriers, the minimum value ofperiodicity comprising a minimum periodicity for ProSe operation thatenables the aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wirelessdevice to be below the allowed interruption value, wherein theconfiguring the ProSe radio resources on the at least two carriers isbased on the obtained minimum value of periodicity, and the minimumvalue of periodicity with which to configure ProSe operation of thewireless device is a function of a total number of carriers configuredfor ProSe operation at the wireless device.